Counsellors have been brought in to comfort staff at a McDonald's where a grandmother was stabbed to death during a children's party.

The restaurant in Terminus Road, Chichester, reopened yesterday, four days after the death of Jackie Marshall, who was attacked as she supervised the party for youngsters on Saturday.

Mrs Marshall, who had worked for McDonald's for 15 years, was loved by both customers and staff.

Many of her colleagues were still too shocked to return to work yesterday and chose to stay at home on full pay.

Staff from other branches were drafted in to cover for them.

By lunchtime yesterday, a handful of customers had returned to the restaurant, which had remained closed in the days following the incident as a mark of respect to Mrs Marshall.

Alison Purves, community affairs manager for McDonald's southern region, said the mood was subdued but some customers were returning.

She said: "A lot of people have wanted to come in and just talk about Jackie. I think that's natural.

"The mood at the restaurant has been quiet. People have been deep in thought.

"Staff don't feel ready to come back to work yet. We are talking to each member of staff on a daily basis and have recruited two specialists to counsel them.

"Staff are absolutely devastated. They will be paid while they take time off, however long it takes for them to come back."

Mrs Marshall, 57, who lived with her 62-year-old husband Eddie at Southbourne, near Chichester, would often accompany the restaurant's mascot Ronald McDonald to visit children in hospital.

Some people stopped outside the restaurant yesterday to look at the dozens of flowers left along with moving tributes to a much-loved member of the Chichester community.

Regular customer Gemma Bateman, 18, of Swanfield Drive, Chichester, said: "I would talk to Jackie about anything.

"Her death has hit everyone really hard and I can't go in there. When I look through the window, no one is smiling."

Anthony Barker, 20, an employee of the nearby Cineworld multiplex cinema, spoke of a sombre mood among all the workers around the Terminus Road Industrial Estate.

He said: "She was one of those people who just touched everyone's lives.

"Whenever I walked in, Jackie was always there, getting balloons ready for the kids and playing games with them.

"She worked at McDonald's because she enjoyed working with the kids. We've chosen to carry on coming here because she enjoyed working here."

In a written statement, Neil Jones, manager of the branch, said: "Jackie was the best employee I have ever had.

"She had a smile for everyone and I do not remember a time when she was not smiling."

Shane Freer, 20, of First Avenue, Batchmere, appeared at Chichester Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with Mrs Marshall's murder.

Freer, a former McDonald's employee, was remanded in custody until April 28, when he is due before Lewes Crown Court.